Celiac Disease

Home » Celiac Disease » Signs and Symptoms

Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Your GI Condition
(Free Handout)

Signs and Symptoms

Celiac disease usually causes general gastrointestinal discomfort. Symptoms may include the following:

• Abdominal cramps
• Bloating
• Constipation
• Diarrhea (occasional or persistent)
• Gas
• Itchy, blistering rash on the elbows, knees, and buttocks (called dermatitis herpetiformis, or DH, which is a reaction to gluten in the system)
• Lactose intolerance (difficulty digesting milk or foods made with milk)
• Loss of appetite
• Mood changes, depression
• Stomach pain
• Stool that is oily or has a gray tinge
• Weakness or fatigue
• Weight loss

In children, signs of celiac disease may include the above symptoms, as well as the following:

• Distention of the stomach (potbelly)
• Difficulty concentrating and learning
• Flat buttocks
• Irritability
• Low percentile for height and weight (i.e., not growing as expected for age group)
• Paleness

Several complications can occur in patients with celiac disease, as a result of the body's inability to absorb vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients.

Complications include the following:

• Birth defects (in babies born to mothers with undiagnosed celiac disease)
• Miscarriage
• Osteoporosis
• Short stature
• Slowed growth (in children)

Over time, if a patient with celiac disease does not adopt a strict, gluten-free diet, damage to the small intestine can lead to more serious complications, such as cancer of the intestinal organs (e.g., colorectal cancer).

© 1998-2008 Healthcommunities.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Celiac Disease Resources

	Join Our Celiac Disease Forum Do you have a question, want to share medical advice, or just need to discuss your situation with someone else having a similar experience? The healthchannels forum is a resource for everyone to share and discuss their health and medical needs with others.	Advertising Disclaimer
	Living with...Share your story Do you have a personal health story that you would like to share with others? As a source of free patient education, our goal is to provide our users with trustworthy information and support from others. That's why we've started our "Living with..." sections.
	Our "Living With..." support pages are a place to share experiences about living with a certain condition, disease, disorder, or illness and for loved ones of those dealing with health-related issues. Many people, especially when newly diagnosed, find comfort in knowing that others are having a similar experience. Help others by sharing your story. View stories already submitted.
	Stay Updated Sign up for our newsletter and receive important updates on the medical conditions that are most important to you.
Advertising Disclaimer To quickly access health information from your website's browser, download Healthcommunities.com's healthchannels toolbar. Advertising Disclaimer